COMMANDER KATHRYN “KAT” SAMPSON WIJNALDUM
United States Navy

Commander (CDR) Kathryn Wijnaldum graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 2001 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. She also holds a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and a doctorate, specializing in Interdisciplinary Leadership, from Creighton University. She is a qualified Nuclear Trained Surface Warfare Officer.

At sea, she served as Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Officer in USS ANZIO (CG 68); Reactor Electrical Division Officer in USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70); First Lieutenant and Senior Watch Officer in the dock landing ship USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44); Commanding Officer for Patrol Coastal Crew ECHO (PCCE); Main Propulsion Assistant in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71); and Executive Officer in USS OAK HILL (LSD 51). She has deployed in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) and completed several Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployments.

Ashore, she attended Naval Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Power Training Unit. Additionally, she served as a Nuclear Trained Officer Recruiter in Navy Recruiting Region West Headquarters; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Service Chief’s Fellow; and as the lead naval forces Joint Working Group Lead in support of Global Force Management initiatives in the Joint Staff (J35 South).

Personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. She is a Joint Qualified Officer.